Somalia: Mogadishu truck bomb victims airlifted to Turkey

MOGADISHU, Somalia - More than 30 people severely injured in Saturday's deadly truck bombing in Mogadishu were airlifted to Istanbul on Monday for further medical treatment, Garowe Online reports.

Somali Prime Minister, Hassan Ali Khaire accompanied by several Ministers, governor of Benadir region and high-ranking government officials took part the evacuation of the blast victims flown to Turkey.

Footage from Mogadishu's International Airport showed massive evacuation efforts by Somali officials and Turkish health workers who were helping the wounded people board a large military air ambulance.

More victims expected to be flown to abroad shortly said the government.

Turkey quickly responded to the request from Somali leaders as they sent its health Minister traveling in an air ambulance, with medical supplies and doctors to assist those injured in the devastating explosion.

Somalia's Minister of Information, Abdirahman Yarisow said Djibouti, Kenya, and Ethiopia have offered to send a medical aid to Somalia, in solidarity with the horn of Africa country following the incident.

The death toll from the truck bombing at K5 junction has risen to 300 people after dozens have succumbed to their wounds at Mogadishu hospital in the past 24 hours, according to the medics and the authorities.

No group has yet claimed responsibly for the attack, but Somali government has blamed Al-Shabaab for the attack, which was the deadliest single attack in Somalia's history as it claimed 300 lives.

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The independent news Web site GaroweOnline.com is the online sister publication of Radio Garowe, a community radio station based in Garowe, the State capital of Puntland, a self-governing region in northern Somalia